Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40355850›Full record

ArticleBMC nursing2025

Lived experiences of nurse practitioners in Saudi Arabia: a phenomenological study.

Ahmed Nahari, Hamza Moafa, Monir M Almotairy, Essa Hakamy, Arwa Alhamed, Sarah Alkhaifi, Thana Aljohani

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC nursing, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Ahmed Nahari *Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, College of Nursing, King Saud University, P.O. Box 642, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. anahari@ksu.edu.sa.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3068-8443
Hamza Moafa *Department of Community and Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, College of Nursing, King Saud University, P.O. Box 642, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3611-2050
Monir M AlmotairyDepartment of Nursing Administration and Education, College of Nursing, King Saud University, P.O. Box 642, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9770-6744
Essa HakamyDepartment of Nursing Administration and Education, College of Nursing, King Saud University, P.O. Box 642, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0592-8858
Arwa AlhamedCollege of Nursing, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8008-8705
Sarah AlkhaifiDepartment of Maternity and Child Health, Faculty of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80200, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0512-1691
Thana AljohaniKing Fahad Hospital, Madinah, Saudi Arabia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0008-2541-3166

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe role of nurse practitioners (NPs) in Saudi Arabia is undergoing rapid evolution owing to the rising demand and shortage of healthcare providers. However, little is known about the lived experiences of NPs working in the Saudi healthcare system. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the lived experiences of NPs working in the Saudi healthcare system.

methodsA phenomenological approach with a purposive sampling technique was utilized to recruit self-identified NPs. Data were collected from ten NPs between June 2022 and December 2024 via semi-structured interviews. Participants were asked to describe their lived experiences as NPs in Saudi Arabia. Thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke's framework was conducted.

resultsThe following five key themes emerged from the analysis: "self-description as an NP"; "challenges for NPs Working in Saudi Arabia"; "experiences with patients, families, and healthcare providers"; "facilitators of the NP role implementation"; and "future of the NP role in Saudi Arabia." Participants described themselves as specialized based on their experience or education, advanced training, having a postgraduate degree or board certification, or practicing independently. Their experiences were influenced by challenges such as lack of professional classification and scope of practice for NPs, lack of leadership support, lack of community awareness, and unfair pay. Their experiences with patients were characterized with unfamiliarity followed by acceptance and trust. Some registered nurses were resistant toward NPs whereas others were supportive and collaborative. Physicians were mostly supportive and demanding of NPs in their teams. A standardized scope of practice, having prior clinical experience, receiving structured training, and fair pay perceived as facilitators. Participants viewed the future of NPs in Saudi Arabia as promising and progressing toward the right direction.

conclusionParticipants demonstrated a consistent professional identity, grounded in advanced education and specialized training. However, their experiences were shaped with challenges. Despite the identified challenges, the optimism surrounding the future of NPs reflects a broader recognition of its potential to enhance patient care in the context of Saudi Vision 2030. Establishing clear regulatory frameworks, ensuring fair compensation, and fostering interprofessional collaboration will be key to implementing the role of NPs in Saudi Arabia.

Indexed as

Lived experienceNurse practitionerPhenomenological approachQualitative studySaudi Arabia

Identifiers

PMID40355850
PMCPMC12067684

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.